Former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of undermining democracy and free speech through what he describes as politically motivated arrests, detentions and intimidation of opposition supporters.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 13, Dr. Bawumia said he was deeply concerned about what he termed “endless assault” on the rights of officers, activists and supporters of the NPP across the country.
According to him, arrests, detentions and “unconscionable bail conditions” have become a persistent feature since the NDC assumed office on January 7, 2025.
Dr. Bawumia cited the recent arrest and subsequent release of social media commentator David Essandoh over comments on the return of power outages, popularly known as “dumsor,” as well as the detention of NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, popularly known as Abronye DC.
“The latest of such acts of intimidation has been the arrest, detention, and subsequent release of David Essandoh for lamenting on social media about the return of dumsor, and the bizarre decision to put the NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, into custody,” he stated.
He further alleged an “unholy collaboration” between the Executive, state investigative bodies and some elements within the judiciary to intimidate members of the opposition party.
“These actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards,” he said.
The former Vice President warned that public officials involved in what he termed as abuses of state power would eventually be held accountable.
“I therefore serve notice to officers of the State who are active participants in this unholy enterprise that the day of accountability will come and the abuse of State power will be accounted for,” he stated.
Dr. Bawumia also called on supporters of the NPP to remain resolute and continue holding the government accountable while resisting intimidation.
“We fought hard for this democracy and as a party, we cannot surrender it to intimidation from those who possess temporary power today,” he added.
